LONDON — Keir Starmer is set to make an important visit to Brussels on Monday, marking a significant moment as he becomes the first British prime minister to participate in an EU leaders’ meeting since the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union five years ago.
During this diplomatic engagement, Starmer will be dining with EU leaders at the historic Egmont Palace, navigating a complex landscape of economic and diplomatic relations. His goal is to mend ties with the EU while also shielding the U.K. from potential tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his protectionist stance.
Trump has enacted import tariffs on major trading partners such as Canada, Mexico, and China, and he has hinted at similar actions against the EU, which he views as having a trade deficit with the U.S. His position toward the U.K. remains somewhat unclear, as he commented earlier on Monday that while “the U.K. is out of line,” he believes a resolution can be reached.
In response to these developments, Starmer highlighted to Trump his desire to foster a robust trading relationship with the U.S. “We’ve got a fair and balanced trading relationship which benefits both sides of the Atlantic,” stated Starmer’s spokesperson, Dave Pares, reinforcing the U.K.’s eagerness to collaborate with the Trump administration.
However, Trump’s trade policies present hurdles for Starmer’s vision of a “reset” with the EU, a task made more complex by the challenges within the U.K.’s domestic political landscape. Starmer is advocating for the reduction of obstacles that have arisen from Brexit, though he has refrained from pursuing two significant options that could facilitate trade: rejoining the customs union and the single market.
Furthermore, the prime minister has been cautious about responding to EU requests for a mobility agreement that would allow young people from both the U.K. and the EU to live and work in each other’s regions for a limited time. The Labour Party under Starmer is particularly sensitive to public sentiment and the potential backlash from populist figures like Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage, who could exploit any perceived compromises on Brexit.
Starmer’s intentions appear to center on implementing modest improvements, such as easing regulations for artists touring between the U.K. and the EU, and recognizing professional qualifications across borders, alongside fostering better cooperation on law enforcement and security initiatives.
In anticipation of the Brussels meeting, Starmer emphasized the need to maintain stringent sanctions against Russia to undermine its military operations in Ukraine. Both the U.K. and the EU have committed to convening a comprehensive leaders’ summit later this year. While officials in the EU are welcoming the positive shift in tone from Starmer compared to previous euroskeptic Conservative governments, they are eager for tangible proposals and compromises from the U.K.
Additionally, Starmer is scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine. The possibility of Trump’s return to power has raised concerns regarding U.S. support for Ukraine and the NATO alliance. Trump has called for NATO members to significantly increase their defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, compared to the current guideline of 2%. Currently, the U.K. allocates 2.3% of its GDP to defense, with plans to boost it to 2.5%.
